spolia opima

[spoh-lee-uh oh-pahy-muh, -pee-, spaw-li-ah aw-pee-mah]

plural noun

1. (in ancient Rome) the arms taken by a victorious general from the leader of a defeated army.

Word History and Origins

Origin of spolia opima¹

From Latin spolia opīma “rich spoils”

Example Sentences

His fighting single-handed in Flanders in the sight of the two armies, and the subsequent carrying away of the "Spolia Opima" of his foeman, were in strict accordance with the practice of the heroes of his studies.

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He unlocked his boat, and shoved off into the channel alone, rejoicing in the thought of the spolia opima he should expose next morning at the breakfast-table.

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Here Nardini places the ancient Temple of Jupiter Feretrius, in which Romulus dedicated the first spolia opima.

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In 1881, after the death of Lord Beaconsfield, Mr Gladstone pointed a reference of the same kind with not less felicity when he applied to his rival on returning from Berlin the words by which the Latin poet indicated the commanding presence of Marcellus among the winners of the spolia opima.

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In these experimental apparitions, which form, as it were, the spolia opima of the collector, we naturally wish to know all that we can about each detail in the experience.

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